Montebello Chardonnay 2020

Issu du vignoble historique de Monte Bello, ce chardonnay provient de parcelles cultivées en agriculture biologique dans les collines de Cupertino, au cœur de l’AVA Santa Cruz Mountains, en Californie. Les lots retenus viennent des secteurs Rousten et Perrone, sur les hauteurs fraîches et brumeuses de la propriété, où les sols minéraux contribuent à la tension et à la finesse du vin.

Les raisins, vendangés à la main, sont pressés en grappes entières puis fermentés en fûts avec les levures indigènes. La fermentation malolactique se déroule naturellement et intégralement. Le vin séjourne dix-sept mois en barriques, composées de 90% de chêne américain séché à l’air et de 10% de chêne français, dont 10% de fûts neufs. Il est mis en bouteille sans filtration.

Ce vin dévoile des notes de poire, fleur de pommier, citron, ananas rôti, mangue, miel léger, brioche, noisette toastée, silex et gravier mouillé. La bouche, ample et dense à l’attaque, conserve une belle vivacité qui étire la matière. Sa texture légèrement crémeuse est soutenue par une trame minérale, tandis que la finale longue, juteuse et saline apporte précision et fraîcheur.

In the United States, 90% of the wine produced comes from California. It was the influx of gold prospectors into California that boosted the Californian wine industry in the mid-19th century, particularly in Sonoma and Napa. At the start of the 20th century there were 800 wineries. From 1919 to 1933, Prohibition destroyed the vast majority of the Californian wine industry, so much so that by 1933 only 140 wineries were still producing wine. It was not until 1960 that the wine industry began to recover from Prohibition, and California was then known mainly for fortified wines (in the style of Port). It was also in the 1960s that some of the most famous wineries were founded (Mondavi, Heitz Wine Cellars, Stag's Leap Wine Cellars, etc.). In 1976 a landmark event took place: the legendary tasting competition better known as the "Judgement of Paris". It pitted the greatest French wines against the American newcomers. On 24 May, an unexpected result shook the wine world when, to everyone's surprise, the United States came out on top. Yet the competition remains fairly unknown to the general public. Today there is no doubt that the United States produces great wines. Although California largely monopolises the reputation of American wines with its excellent Zinfandels, the state of Oregon produces some of the best Pinot Noir in the world and Washington State offers excellent Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.